generally speak about himself right at the time when you want to talk about yourself or some far more interesting experience you have had. This most tire some and pompous fellow can always go you one better. Boredom is caused not by work but rather by resentment, worry and frustration. As believers, when we meet someone who appears to be a bore, this is a real signal for us to show him love, compassion and patience. The rea son we see so much dissatisfaction in people today is because, apart fr o m Christ, no man will ever be contented. He will always want more. No wonder the divorce courts are full. People are tired with what the emptiness of life and others about them have to offer. It is all so empty. This is why Scripture tells us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you.” * * * God had a divine purpose in mind when He made the mouth to close and the ears to remain always open. * * * TWICE HIS How often have you paused to reflect on the wonderful truth that we are called of God, elect before the founda tion of the earth? A very talented boy spent many weeks building a toy sail boat. I t wa& really a masterpiece con sidering the lad’s age. He took it down to the river where he was going to try it out. It worked so beautifully that in the excitement of his achievement he let go of the string. Much to his dismay the little craft went sailing away. When he arrived home, he was inconsolable; noth ing could dry his tears. Understanding the son’s disappointment his father gave him some money to buy a new boat downtown. While it would never replace his own, he was grateful for the gift. That Saturday when he went to town, the boy raced to the toy store. Parsing by the window he stopped short and his heart leaped for joy. Sure enough, there was his own little lost boat on sale in the window. Someone had found it down stream. Recognizing its value it was taken to the store. Rushing inside the boy exchanged money for his very own handiwork. The storekeeper, so the illus tration goes, declared that as the lad left the shop he was heard to say, “Now, little boat, you’re twice mine. First I made you, and then I bought you!” In like manner, we are twice the Lord’s. 28
WOUNDED FOR ME Tragedy struck a home in the middle of the night in a little Eastern town. Impulsively the father, although still in a sleepy daze, dashed into his baby daughter’s room. Flames were already enveloping the door. Quickly he snatched her from the crib. Holding her under his robe, protecting her with his arms, he groped his way through the smoke to safety outside. The little girl cam e through unharmed, b u t h e r father’s right hand was severely burned. Doctors did what they could, but the scars would have to be borne the rest of his life. In meeting people, when necessary, he would extend his left hand. Quickly, however, his proud and thankful daugh ter would reach for the twisted and ugly hand, gratefully telling of her father’s bravery. In later years when he died the well-meaning funeral director saw to it that the good hand was placed across his chest and the other one hidden. When his daughter saw this, she gave imme diate orders that the scarred hand should be given the place of prominence. With tears in her eyes, she tenderly touched his fingers explaining, “This is the hand that was wounded for me." How graphically this portrays our Lord’s sacrificial gift of love bestowed upon us. We should never let this truth of Christ’s redemptive work grow dim. For, “He was wounded for our trans gressions, He was bruised for our in iquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are headed.” * * * To have the smile of God could possibly mean that we may have to receive the frown of men. * * * WHO IS A BORE? Psychiatrists have suggested t h a t sometimes boredom is the result of un happy relationships in life. For the Christian who is not living close to the Lord, he will fail to find satisfaction and contentment. For this reason the Psalmist, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the de sires of thine heart.’’ Boredom may be caused by someone talking when actu ally you wanted to speak. Or in the familiar definition of a bore as one who, when asked how he feels, proceeds to tell you. Such an individual can talk all day without any particular subject. He will
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